WOMEN’S FENCING

Women are often photographed without a mask, and there are few pictures of women actually fencing (for an exception see number 9). There are a variety of interesting fencing fashions represented in the pictures which span a short period of time. This suggests that there was still much scope for personal taste in female athletic dress. In contrast men are most often depicted in uniforms that would not be too out of place today.

16. Lanella, Berlin. Ellen Preiss, Austria. The winner in individual foil in the Olympics in 1932 in Los Angeles. The caption further outlines how the Handbook of Sports can be obtained by payment, and this picture is designed to fit a particular place in the album. Each picture can be obtained by buying a half pound of margarine. There are 112 images in total, and the caption notes that duplicates can be exchanged via the company or individually. It may be significant to note that this large card of a woman fencer is on a “grocery” card and not on a cigarette card. She is wearing a long skirt and shoes that are clearly athletic.
    
    
17. Album 6, Olympia 1932, picture 140. Ellen Preiss winner of women’s foil.
    The caption goes on to state that the albums contain explanatory texts to accompany the images, which will form a “cultural memory which deserves an important place in your library”. Perhaps more interesting is the choice of shoes worn by the fencer. It appears that the high heels would not be ideal for fencing, as photographs of female fencers in action (such as the same fencer in card 16 above) show more sensible footwear.
    
    


18. Jasmatzi cigarette factory, Dresden. Series German Sport picture 62. This caption simply states: “Hedwig Hass, German fencing master 1934. It is interesting to note that this woman, in contrast to pictures of most others, is wearing a mask. She is also modestly dressed in a skirt. One cannot expect that just because the image is on a cigarette card it will be racy!
    
    
    
    
19. Monopol Cigarette factory, picture 705. Hanni Wolf, Dresden Women’s Fencing Club. The caption states that she is the best Saxon female fencer who has been successful in multiple events. The hemline of this skirt is shorter than the one in image 18.
    
    
    
    
20. German Sport, Bulgaria cigarette factory, Dresden. Picture 61. The caption on the back reads: “Fencing, a sport for women” There is no name of the fencer given. The caption probably should be read as one that suggests fencing is ALSO for women, and not for women alone!